Electrical apparatus for controlling signal or other circuits.



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d H. A. PARmsH. ELECTRICALAPPARATUS 'FR CONTROLLING SIGNAL 0R DHER CIRCUITS-` (Application led Aug. 11, 1899.) (Nnllndel.)

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'UNITI-3o SrATEs `PnIrnNr OFFICE.

IICMER ALToN PARRIsII,

CF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, AssIcNoR To TI-IE PARRISH SIGNAL COMPANY, or sAMnrLAcE.

ELECTRICAL APRARATIIS FOR CONTROLLING SIGNAL R oTIIER CIRCUITS.

SPECIFICATION `running para bf Letters Patent No. 663,130, aerea-December 4,1900.

' `Appnalngiingdrpgust11,1899. sel-innermost.

No nuestr.)` y

, T0 @ZZ whom it may concern/r I which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I V I I My invention relates to electrical appara-` tus for controlling the operation of signaling devices.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated and described herein is designed more particularly for operating railway-crossing signals; but such inventionis adaptedfor other uses as well, as will be at once apparent to those skilled in the art. I shall, hoW- ever, describe the invention as especially adapted for operating crossing-signals.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide electrical devices of the character above indicated which will be adapted to operate for an extended period of time without special attention or the renewal of the batl teries, and which, nevertheless, may be relied upon to operate on all occasions.

A further object is to provide a construction which will prevent in a great measure the operar-ion of the signal except in the regular and proper way, one of the principal ob- I jections to signals heretofore in use atv rail- `manner as to set way-crossings being that they are subject to manipulation by mischievous persons in such or sound the signal when no train is passing, thereby not only giving a false alarm at the crossing, but also wasting the batteries. It is, furthermore, desirable that such signals be arranged so that they are not operated by the passage of a hand-car or railway-velocipede, and this is provided for also by the construction hereinafter described.

To this end my invention consists of an electric signal, such as a bell, the operation of which is controlledv through circuits opened and closed by the passage of a car, such circuits being normally open, two of them being ground or metallic circuits and the other a Inetallic circuit. The former, which may be termed the first and I second circuits, control the action of the signal-'operating devices larranged in the latter or third circuit, it being necessary for the rst circuit to be closed before the signal-operating devices in the third circuit, canbeo'perated to close the circuit through thebell Aois-(signal. The second circuit is provided with an electromagnet or relay which through its armature operates a locking or retaining device for locking out of operative position the device which closes the circuit through the bell or signal, the arrangement being such that when said armature is attracted by said magnet the circuitclosing device is released and may drop, closing the Acircuit through the bell and giving the alarm. An electric battery is provided in the second circuit which is `not strong enough `to move the armature connected to the locking device, but is strong enough to energize said magnet sufficiently to enable it to retain the armature in juxtaposition to its poles after they have been moved into such position. The first circuit also contains a magnet or relay the armature of which carriesan arm which is adapted to actuate the circuit-closing device of the signaling apparatus, as will be hereinafter described, there being in said first circuit a battery of sufficient power to energize said magnet and cause it to attract its armature whenever the circuit is closed. The batteries of the first and second circuits for convenience of description will b e termed the first and second batteries. 1n practice the first battery is usually made much stronger than the second; but it should be understood that the relative strength of said batteries to each other s of -no moment, it being essential only that the irst battery shall be strong enough to effect the operation of the armature of the /rst-circuit magnet whenever said circuit is closed, while the second battery shall be strong enough only to retain theI armature of the second-circuit magnet in j uxtaposition to the poles thereof and not strong enough to initially operate said armature. The original operation of the armature of the secondcircuit magnet for the purpose of releasing the circuit-closing device is effected by the automatic establishment of the Inetallic or IOO third circuit through both batteries and the two magnets, the batteries being connected in series, so that sufficient voltage is secured to energize the second-circuit to operate said armature.

The way iu which the above-described arrangement of the ercuits,batter1es, and magnets eects the operation of the slgnjal w111 be speeeallyllereinaftr poxnbed out: 1n copneetion With the drawlngs. That. Whlch I Y when the third circuit only is closed, and Fig.

3 illustrates the arrangement of the armatures and circuit-closing device `when the second circuit only is closed and the bell is ringing or the signal is set.

Referring to the drawings, 5 6 indicate 'the rails of a railway, there being a crossing at or about the point marked C. At or near the crossing C one of the rails, as 5, is provided with an insulated section 7, and at about the distance from the crossing where it is desired to actuate the bell or set the signal other insulated rail-sections 8 9 are provided, said sections being at about an equal distance from the crossing at opposite sides thereof. Near the-rail-sections 8 9 are other insulated rail-sections 10 11, respectively, the sections 8 10 being usually slightly less than the length of a car or locomotive apart, the sections 9 11 being similarly arranged. Near the sections 8 10 the rail 6 is provided with a ground connection 12. A ground connection 13 is also provided near the sections 9 11.

14 indicates the rst-circuit electromagnet, and 15Ithe rst battery. The latter is connected to the rail-sections 10 11 by Wires 16 17 and to the magnet 14 by a wire 18. 19 indicates the second-circuit electromagnet, and 2O the second battery. The latter is connected to the rail-sections 8 9 by wires 21 22l and to the magnet 19 by a wire 23.

24 indicates a wire connecting the magnets 14 and 19.

25 indicates a wire with the ground.

26 indicates a Wire connecting the crossing rail-section 7 With the wire 17 or with the wire 16, if desired. n y

27 indicates the armature of the first magnet, Vwhich is suitably pivoted in proximity to the poles thereof, so that when said magnet is energized said armature will be rocked.

connecting the wire 24 The armature 27 is provided with an arm 28,

which in the-arrangement shown extends upward in proximity to the circuit-closing dei vice ordrop 29, pivoted upon a suitable support and arranged to assume either a vertical or an inclined position, as illustrated in the drawings. When in an inclined position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the drop 29 rests upon a contact-point magnet enoughV Vmetallic circuit 30, which is adjustably sup-l eeaieo" ranoement bein@ suc h thatwxvlhen said arxnaturebis autraetef by lts magnet the latch 3l will be raised, releasing the drop 29, so that it may fall into contact with the contact-point 30. When the electromagnet 19 is not energized, the weight of the latch 31 carries the armature 33 away from its poles, so that the latch returns to operative position. For moving the armature 2,7 of the first magnet 14 away from the poles of said magnet when the latter is denergized a spring. 34 is provided, as shown. The arrangement of the armature 27 of the first magnet and its arm. 28 with reference to the drop 29 is such that when said armature 27 is attracted by its magnet the arm 28 acts to rock the drop 29, carrying it to its' vertical position and holding it in position to be engagedby the 'latch 31.

35 indicates a signal-bell which is located at the crossing. Instead of a bell some other suitable form of electrically-operated signal may bc employed.

36indicates a wire connecting the contactpoint 30 with the bell 35. y

37 indicates a wire connecting the bell with the wire 17.

38 indicates a wire connecting the wire 18 with the circuit-closing device or drop 29.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When a train approaches the crossing C from the right, the Wheels rst strike the insulated rail-section 10, closing the circuit from said rail-section through the axles and Wheels of the train to the rail 6, and thence to the ground, establishing the iirst circuit, which extends from the ground,as just stated, over wires 16 17 to battery 15, thence over wire 18 to the first-circuit magnet 14, then through said magnet over wire 25 to the ground. The magnet 14 is thereby energized, attracting its armature and carrying the arm 28 into contact with the drop or circuit-closing device 29, which isnormally in the position shown in Fig. 1. The signal will not at this time be operated, Vinasmuch as the bell-circuit is broken between the circuit-closing device or drop 29 and contactpoint 30. 'As soon as the wheels strike the insulated rail-section 8, however, the third or is established, extending from the rail-section 8 by the wheels and axles to rails 6, thence back by the wheels and axles at the other end of the car or locomotive to rail-section 10, thence over wires 16 and 17, through battery 15 and wire 18, to the rst magnet 14, thence over wire 24 to the second magnet 19, thence ovei Wire 23 through `the second battery 20,and back over wire 21 to rail-section 8. The irstand sec- ICO IIC)

ond batteries are so set up that when the second circuit, above described,is established the elements come in proper order, connecting said batteries regularly in series. Upon the establishment of the third circuit the first magnet 14 remains energized, while the increased voltage so increases the power of the second magnet that it attracts its armature 33, lifting the latch 31 and releasing the drop or circuit-closing device 29. Said drop, although released by the latch 31, remainsin its vertical position, as the arm 23 of the armature 27 holds it in such position. As soon, however', as the train passes beyond the railsection 10 the third or metallic circuit is broken, denergizingthe first magnet 14, thereby releasing the armature 27, which is carried out oraway from the poles of said magnet by the spring 34. This releases the drop 29, which falls into contact with the contactpoint 30, closing the bell-circuit and sounding the alarm at the crossing, thebell-circuit being from the bell over wires 37 and 17 to the iirst battery 15, thence over wires 1S and 38 to the drop 29, thence to contact-point 30, and over wire 36 back to the bell. The latch 31 is at this time held out of operative position by reason of the fact that the second circuit is still closed and the magnet 19 energized, said circuit extending from the ground at 12 to rail 6, thence by the wheels and axles to railsection S, thence over wires 21 and 22 through the second battery 2 0, thence over wire 23 to magnet 19, and thence over wires 24 and 25 to the ground. The current which passes through the second magnet 19 at this time,

ywhile insufficient to draw the armature 33 thereto, is sufficient to hold said armature in juxtaposition to said magnet, it having been moved into such position originally'by the current supplied by the two batteries in series. As soon as the last wheels pass off from the rail-section S the second circuit is broken, deenergizing the magnet 19 and releasing the armature 33, permitting the latch 31 to return to operative position. The bell continues to ring until the train reaches the crossing railsection 7, when the first circuit is again established from the ground at 12 or 13 over rail 6, through the Wheels and axles of the car to rail-section 7, thence over wires 26 and 17 to battery l5, thence over wire 18 to magnet 14, and from said magnet over Wires 24 and 25 to the ground, thus energizing said magnet, which attracts its armature 27 and through the arm 2S raises the drop 29, breaking the bell-circuit and stopping the bell, the drop being locked in its vertical position by the latch 3l. As the train continues to move to the left when the wheels pass upon rail-section 9 the drop 29 is not released, although the second circuit is again established through the second magnet 19 and battery 20, since, as has been explained, the voltage of said battery or the adjustment of said magnet and its armature is such that the battery 2O alone is not strong enough to energize said magnet sufficiently to enable it to operate the armature 33 and release the drop 29. Then the wheels strikerail-section 11, the third circuit is again established, as already described, and at this time the latch 3l is raised, releasing the drop 29, but said drop does not fall and close the bell-circuit, because the rst magnet 14C is also energized and attracts its armature 27, the arm 2S ot which holds the drop in its vertical position. As the train passes ott of section 9 the first circuit alone is established, so that the second magnet 19 is denergized, releasing the latch, which at once engages the drop and prevents its falling, when the first magnet 14 is also denergized. This occurs as soon as the train passes off of section 11. It will thus be seen that the signal is given at the crossing when a train is approaching, which signal is stopped or withdrawn as soon as the train reaches the crossing, and that there is no possibility of the setting of the signal by the train after it has passed the crossing. Furthermore, inasmuch as in order to set the signal it is necessary to electrically connect two insulated rail-sections which are at a considerable distance apart, such signal cannot be operated by the passage of a hand-car, which is shorter than the distance between the two insulated railsections, nor can the signal be set by simply connecting either of the rail-sections 8 9 10 11 with the rail 6, so that there is'very little danger of the setting of the signal by mischievous persons.

I Wish it understood that my invention is not restricted to the specific arrangement or construction of devices shown and described, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the essentials of the invention.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, means normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism whicli controls the operation of said retaining mechanism, means made eective by the passage of a train for supplying a current to said controlling mechanism, means for automatically varying the streng-th of the current supplied to said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for setting said circuit-closing device, and means operated by the passage of the train for actuating said setting mechanism, substantially as described.

g 2. In a signaling apparatus, the Vcombination of an electrically-operated signal, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, means normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism Which controls the operation of said retaining mechanism, a normally open track- IOO IIO

IZO

circuit Which includes said controlling mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage of the train, means for su'pplyinga current tothe circuit which includes said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mech-- l means for automatically varying the strength of the current supplied to said controlling mechanism, substantially as described.

3. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, means normally retaining said circuit-closin g device out of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism which controls the operation of said retaining device, a normally open trackcircuit which includes said controlling mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, a battery for partially energizing said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for setting said circuit-closing device, a normally open track-circuit Which includes said setting mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, a battery in said latter circuit, and means operated by the passage of the train for automatically increasing the current supplied to the controlling mechanism, substantially as described.

4; In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signalfmeans normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism Which controls the operation of said retaining device, a normally open track-circuit Which includes said controlling mechanism and is adapted to be closed by'the passage of a train, a battery for partially energizing said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for setting said circuit-closing device, a normally open track-circuit which includes said setting mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, a battery in said latter circuit, and means operated by the passage of the train for connecting both said batteries in circuit with said controlling mechanisms, substantially as described.

5. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a cir-v cuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, means normally retaining said circuit-closing device outl of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism Which controls the operation of said retaining device, a normally open track-circuit which includes said controlling mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage-of the train, a battery for partially energizing said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for setting said circuit-closing device, a normally open track-circuit which in- `cludes said setting mechanism and is adapted to be closed by the passage of a'train, a battery in said latter circuit, and means operated by the passage of the train for connecting both said batteries in series in a metallic circuit including said controlling and setting mechanism, substantially as described.

6. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, a locking device normally acting to retain said circuit-closing device out of operative position, electromagnetic mechanism Which controls the operation of said locking mechanism, a normally open vtrack-circuit which includes said controlling mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for setting said circuit-closing device, anormally open track-circuit which includes said setting mechanism, and a battery in each of said track-circuits, said circuits being arranged to be closed bythe passage of a train, the connections being such that after one of said track-circuits is established, and before the other is closed, a third circuit is automatically established through the controlling and setting mechanisms, substantially as described. Y

7. In a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-sections, tvvo of said rail-sections being at a considerable distance from the crossing, at each side thereof, and another of said rail-sections being near said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-sections and the rail-section near the crossing, a second circuit including the inner rail-sections at the opposite sides of the crossing, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, setting mechanism in the first circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, means for supplying a Weak current to said controlling mechanism when the second circuit alone is closed, means for simultaneously operating said con trolling and setting mechanisms, and means for increasing the current supplied to said controlling mechanism When said setting mechanism is operated simultaneously therewith, substantially as described.

8. In a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-Sections, tWo of saidrail-sections being at a considerable distance from the crossing, at each side thereof, and another of said rail-sections being near said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-sections and the rail-section near the crossing, a second circuit including the inner rail-sections at the opposite sides of thc crossing, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a 'circuit-closing deboth batteries and IIO IZO

vice for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, setting mechanism in the iirst circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, means for supplying a Weak current to said controlling mechanism when the second circuit alone is closed, means for supplying a current to said setting mechanism when the first circuit alone is closed, and means operated by the passage of a train for establishing a closed metallic circuit which includes said controlling and setting mechanisms, substantially as described.

9. In a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-sections, two of said rail-sections being at a considerable distance from the crossing, at each side thereof, and another of said rail-sections being near said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-sections and the rail-section near the crossing, a second circuit including the inner rail-sections at the opposite sides of the crossing, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, setting mechanism in the first circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for normally retaining said circuit-closing device out of operative position, a battery in each of said first and second circuits, the battery in said second circuit being insufficient alone to fully energize the controlling mechanism, and means operated by the passage of' a train for establishing a third metallic circuit which includes both said batteries in series and the controlling and setting mechanisms, said third circuit being established after the closing of one of said track-circuits and before the other of said track-circuits is closed, substantially as described.

10. In a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-sections, two of said rail-sections being at a considerable distance from the crossing, in proximity to each other, and another of said rail-sections being near said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-section and the railsection near the crossing, a second circuit including the intermediate rail-section, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a circuit-closing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, setting mechanism in the rst circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for normally retain,-

ing said circuit-closing device out of operative position, means for supplying a weak current to said controlling mechanism when the second circuit alone is closed, means for simultaneously operating said controlling and setting mechanisms, and means for increasing the current su pplied to said con trolling mechanism when said setting mechanism is operated simultaneously therewith, substantially as described.

ll. In a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-sections, two of said rail-sections being arranged along the railway in proximity to each other, at a considerable distance from the crossing, and another of said rail-sections being near said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-section and the rail-section near the crossing, a second circuit including the intermediate rail-section, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a circuitclosing device for establishing a circuit which actuates said signal, setting mechanism in the first circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for normally retaining said circuitclosing device out of operative position, means for supplying a weak current to said controlling mechanism When the second circuit alone is closed, means for supplying a current to said setting mechanism when the first circuit alone is closed, and means operated by the passage of a train for establishing a closed metallic circuit which includes said controlling and setting mechanisms, substantially as described.

12. in a crossing signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of insulated rail-sections, two of said rail-sections being arranged along the railway in proximity to, each other, at a considerable distance from the crossing, and another of said rail-sections beingnear said crossing, a first track-circuit which is normally open and includes the outermost rail-section and the rail-section near the crossing, a second circuit including the interme- IOO diate rail-section, an electrically-operated signal arranged near the crossing, a circuitclosing device for establishing a circuit which aotuates said signal, setting mechanism in the first circuit for setting said circuit-closing device, controlling mechanism in said second circuit, retaining devices operated thereby for` normally retaining said circuitclosing device out of operative position, a battery in each of vsaid first and second circuits, the battery in said second circuit being insufficient alone to fully energize the controlling mechanism, and means operated by the passage of a train for establishing a third metallic circuit which includes both said batteries in series and the controlling and setting mechanisms, said third circuit being established after the closing of one of said track-circuits and before the other of saidtrack-circuits is closed, substantially as described.

13. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a sigfor the signal-circuit, controlling mechanism for operating said circuit-closing device,l a plurality of batteries for supplying electricity to said controlling mechanism, the current of one of said batteries alone being insumcient to operate said controlling mechanism to close the signal-circuit, and means operated by the passage of a train for supplying the current from a plurality of said batteries to said controlling mechanism, substantially as described.

14. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an electrically-operated signal, a normally open signal-circuit Which includes said sige'ais nal, controlling mechanism for closing said signal-circuit, a circuit which includes said controlling mechanism and is closed by the passing of va train, a battery adapted to be placed in circuit with said controlling mechanism and With said signal, and means operated by the passing of a train forv automatically placing said battery in circuit With said signal, substantially as described.

HOMER ALTON PARRISH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. RICHARD, CHAs. W. RYAN. 

